Jang Mi-ran, 37, was found dead 104 days after her disappearance in Jeju, with police suggesting her death was a suicide by hanging, while downplaying the possibility of foul play. Professor Lee Soo-jung from Kyonggi University criticized this conclusion, stating on her social media, "A young woman goes out at night to hang herself from a palm tree? It’s laughable as a method of suicide," and called for a restoration of prosecutorial investigation rights.
In another post, she expressed concern over the discovery of three other presumed missing bodies, questioning whether there were signs of homicide and urging against premature claims of no criminal victimization.
Jang was last seen leaving her long-term accommodation in Hallim-eup, Jeju, around 10:15 p.m. on May 12. Her phone's last known location was near Hallim Port, about two and a half hours later, with no further usage records until it was turned off on May 16 at 9:44 a.m.
Her boyfriend reported her missing on May 15, but a police officer at the Jeju West Police Station prematurely closed the case, resulting in a loss of critical time for the search.
On August 24, Jang's body was discovered in a palm tree forest in Hallim-eup at 10:46 a.m. She was found wearing the same clothes as in her last CCTV footage, with her phone and electronic cigarette still in her pockets. Her gold bracelet, ring, and slippers were also intact.
During a briefing on August 26, police stated that based on the position and condition of the body, as well as preliminary autopsy findings, they believe the likelihood of foul play is low. They also noted that a strap belonging to Jang was found on a protruding palm tree trunk at the scene.
However, Jang's boyfriend expressed doubts in an interview with JTBC, stating, "There was nothing so difficult that she would take her own life up until the day she went missing."
Professor Yoo Chang-won, head of the Yoo Chang-won Crime Science Research Institute, remarked that there were no signs of a struggle or evidence of a third party's involvement at the scene. He acknowledged that while the circumstances might suggest suicide, other factors cannot be ruled out, making it premature to draw definitive conclusions.
He emphasized the need for a thorough autopsy to determine the cause of death, despite significant decomposition. He urged that the National Forensic Service's autopsy and the police's comprehensive scientific investigation should clarify the cause of death and the possibility of third-party involvement, ensuring transparency for the family and the public. He lamented the initial investigative shortcomings, stating that if the police had not falsely claimed to have made contact and had continued the search, early discovery might have been possible.
Meanwhile, the police are investigating the officer who prematurely closed the missing persons case for dereliction of duty and falsifying official records.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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